How long to get bids for a bathroom remodel

[Anonymous]

We are considering remodeling our primary bathroom. We have the plans drawn up and I met with four contractors in the house to discuss the plans and job. How long is normal to expect bids? I have one in hand and just want to know when to write the others off and proceed with the one.

[Anonymous]

We are in the same process. 2 contractors have visited so far. The one who came on Saturday hasn’t sent anything yet - he said by Wednesday. The guy who came on Sunday sent it by that same evening. I have one more scheduled.

If they haven’t sent it by the day it was promised, or maybe a day beyond that, I’m not interested unless they follow up somehow. I don’t want to work with someone who doesn’t get back to me.

[Anonymous]

Definitely follow up. They are more likely to take the time to write up a bid if you are actually interested, not just kicking the tires.

[Anonymous]

How big is your bathroom? Mind sharing what estimates you get? We’re doing the same and the first estimate was insanely high. We have a small 5x7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How big is your bathroom? Mind sharing what estimates you get? We’re doing the same and the first estimate was insanely high. We have a small 5x7.

This will sound insane but the master bathroom closet/bathroom suite is about 600 sq feet. This massive waste of space is a big reason why we're trying to remodel. We got one quote for 130k which seems high, they're a really platinum contractor so I want to see what the others say. Not dc area but other HCOL city.

[Anonymous]

We had 3 contractors visit in 1 day. 1 did it on the spot. Another took about 4-5 days and we reminded him because we wanted to choose him (style match, good references). Another took 3 weeks and we'd moved on by the time he came back around.

We chose the one that took 4-5 days and feel we made the right choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How big is your bathroom? Mind sharing what estimates you get? We’re doing the same and the first estimate was insanely high. We have a small 5x7.

Not OP but we did two full hallway baths (well, both showers only) for 72K. Both tight spaces though smartly laid out, with minimal reconfiguration but all brand new everything with lots of custom sizes. The estimate was 45K but we chose finishes and added some scope that added about 25% beyond allowances (which we expected) and there were some issues that added to the rest (structural, hazardous material removal).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big is your bathroom? Mind sharing what estimates you get? We’re doing the same and the first estimate was insanely high. We have a small 5x7.

Not OP but we did two full hallway baths (well, both showers only) for 72K. Both tight spaces though smartly laid out, with minimal reconfiguration but all brand new everything with lots of custom sizes. The estimate was 45K but we chose finishes and added some scope that added about 25% beyond allowances (which we expected) and there were some issues that added to the rest (structural, hazardous material removal).

Our quote was close to 50 for two tiny ones. I seriously don’t understand it. We’re not moving anything around. He came highly recommended, but that’s well outside our budget. I’ll see what the others say.

[Anonymous]

It took us about two weeks to schedule and get quotes from 3 people. Quotes are about $170-200. I stepped back to clarify my own vision first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How big is your bathroom? Mind sharing what estimates you get? We’re doing the same and the first estimate was insanely high. We have a small 5x7.

Not OP but we did two full hallway baths (well, both showers only) for 72K. Both tight spaces though smartly laid out, with minimal reconfiguration but all brand new everything with lots of custom sizes. The estimate was 45K but we chose finishes and added some scope that added about 25% beyond allowances (which we expected) and there were some issues that added to the rest (structural, hazardous material removal).

Is that per bathroom or total? I'm reading as total, but in the same spot but just starting so I want to be sure. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I was quoted $30K for a guy last year, outside DMV.

[Anonymous]

The numbers that are posted are here show the average customer is getting ripped off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The numbers that are posted are here show the average customer is getting ripped off.

What does that mean though? The market is the market. Contractors are allowed to charge whatever they want. The consumer doesn't get to dictate a contractor's profit margins.

[Anonymous]

Full service firm was quick. Mid level contractors took a couple of weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The numbers that are posted are here show the average customer is getting ripped off.

What does that mean though? The market is the market. Contractors are allowed to charge whatever they want. The consumer doesn't get to dictate a contractor's profit margins.

I would avoid these big-name contractors that you find on Yelp or Google reviews that are basically glorified administrators taking all the money away from their subs. Getting and redoing five by seven bathroom on my own cost of a few thousand dollars and the quotes I got from multiple small contractors was under 10k including materials. I noticed that the more reasonable quotes always have come from Hispanic contractors versus be more overpriced quotes from American ones.